COSTA BLOG

Costa Vida is Good for Your Heart!

Valentine’s Day may be behind us, but February is still all about hearts. Literally. February was named American Heart Month in 1964 to create awareness for cardiovascular health. One way to take care of your heart is through regular physical activity, but did you know your diet affects your heart health too? A diet of mostly rich foods drastically increases your risk of heart disease. That doesn’t necessarily mean you should stop enjoying ice cream forever! At Costa Vida, we advocate a healthy lifestyle that’s all about creating balance. It’s so important to balance indulgent meals and desserts with whole, natural foods that are good for your body.

In honor of American Heart Month, we’ve created a list of our favorite heart-healthy foods that are all found at Costa Vida. These natural ingredients in our menu contain vitamins, antioxidants, healthy fats, and minerals that have been shown to improve cardiovascular health. Treat yourself and your heart to one of your favorite foods listed below!

Avocados
The healthy fats in avocados help lower cholesterol, reduce inflammation, and prevent blood clots. Combine avocados with tomatoes (those are on the list too!) and you practically have a doctor’s note to eat guacamole.

Black Beans
Dark beans are rich in “bad” cholesterol-lowering soluble fiber and anti-inflammatory omega-3 fatty acids. Regular servings of black beans and other legumes have been linked to reducing the risk of heart attack and coronary heart disease (CHD).

Tomatoes
These key salsa ingredients are rich in potassium, a mineral that works to lower blood pressure. They contain the antioxidants alpha and beta-carotene that work to remove tissue-damaging free radicals from the body.

Red and Yellow Bell Peppers
Colorful bell peppers contain high levels of lycopene. Studies have shown this antioxidant can decrease the risk of suffering a heart attack by keeping blood vessels open and lowering “bad” cholesterol. Add fajita veggies for no additional charge to your next burrito, taco, or salad.